Shell Shock: The Daiary of Tommy Atkins at Chelmsford Civic Theatre

After a long service career, Atkins attempts to return to ‘normal’ life. After all he’s seen, civvy street will be a breeze, right? His observations on the absurdities of the everyday are comic, moving and insightful.

Shell Shock: The Diary of Tommy Atkins by Gulf War veteran Neil Blower Watkin is adapted and performed by comedy veteran

Tim Marriott at Chelmsford Civic Theatre on Friday, January 31.

After a long service career, Atkins attempts to return to 'normal' life. After all he's seen, civvy street will be a breeze, right? As Tommy shares his diary, he takes us to crowded shopping malls, an automated job centre interview and a night out on the town.

His observations on the absurdities of the everyday have been reviewed as "comic and convincing", "fabulously witty" and "moving and insightful".

As life conspires against him, nothing is safe from his increasing outrage: from post office queues to shopping in Ikea, computer games to phone zombies, all feel the force of Tommy's frustration.

Shell Shock' was a hit at the Edinburgh Fringe supported by the Army@TheFringe before going to Australia in September promoting the Invictus Games.

Cramphorn Studio, 8pm. Tickets, £16/£14 special concessions £7 from boxoffice@chelmsford.gov.uk or 01245 606505.